US Consulate in Calgary

[Avery 0]

We are trying to find out if we can book an appointment at the US Consulate in Calgary ( as we are from Winnipeg). I know you can book non-immigrant appointments through the 900 numbers and on line. However we want to book one for the I130 interview. Every time we call all we get is a voice message that just keeps looping.

Any ideas?

If it is only on a first come first serve basis, is it always super busy? Cause I would have to take time off work and find accommodations for the time there. I have visions of standing in this horrid long line and getting our turn only to have the window say "closed now! lolol"

[TheATeam 0]

Interviews are only done in Montreal and Vancouver for K1's, K3's and other spousal visas.

[Tankgurl38 0]

I wish we could have the interview done in Calgary, but TheATeam is right, Montreal and Vancouver are the only Embassy's that do interviews for the K/CR-1 Visas.

[trailmix 77]

She mentioned in her post it is to file the I-130

It's not that busy at all, they open at like 8-8:30 - if you are there when they open you normally do not have to wait very long.

Edited April 3, 2009 by trailmix

[TheATeam 0]

Thanks for popping in trailmix! We didn't do CR-1 so I didn't know that you could do the I130 interview at any consulate. I just saw the word interview and automatically thought Montreal or Vancouver only.

[Reba 2]

I didn't even know there was an interview for the petition portion of the process

[trailmix 77]

Well they call it an interview

We didn't DCF as it was not allowed at that particular time as the Adam Walsh law had just come in to effect and they discontinued DCF in about January of 2007 and reinstated it in about March of 2007 - about a week after we filed with Vermont.

I have been to the Calgary consulate probably 4 or 5 times at least. There was no appointment required (but again, we were not filing the I-130)

In looking at their site this morning I see they open at 8:30. Also, they close at noon - and they really do close around noon - I have been there until around 1:00 before and there are no other customers there. So at least you know you will be out of there early!

In looking at their site I have found no information on booking an appointment for immigrant visa services - so I would suspect that you cannot make an appointment - but who knows!

[trailmix 77]

Oh and to answer your question - you cannot call the actual consulate in Calgary,

[Avery 0]

Thank you so much for all the information. It's like watching muddy water clear. LOL

Although one last question:

Can we file at the consulate?

June 2007 - husband arrives in Canada as visitor

December 2007 - flag poled and updated his status to a year visitor pass with intent to immigrate (from what I'm told temp residency equivalent)

January 2009 - issued work visa and extended his temporary residency (first stage of Canada immigration was approved)

There was no lapse in his stay in Canada and has been with me ever since June 2007.

[trailmix 77]

Thank you so much for all the information. It's like watching muddy water clear. LOL

Although one last question:

Can we file at the consulate?

June 2007 - husband arrives in Canada as visitor

December 2007 - flag poled and updated his status to a year visitor pass with intent to immigrate (from what I'm told temp residency equivalent)

January 2009 - issued work visa and extended his temporary residency (first stage of Canada immigration was approved)

There was no lapse in his stay in Canada and has been with me ever since June 2007.

You shouldn't have a problem - basically what they want is: "Evidence of Petitioner's legal long term residence status in Canada, such as a provincial healthcare card, provincial driving license or Canadian immigrant card" link - I assume he has these.

As mentioned above - your actual immigrant interview will take place in Montreal though (after your paperwork has been processed).

Just as an aside - do you mean you have already started his Canadian PR paperwork, as in applied? If so you may want to consider finishing that as well - unlike U.S. immigration - when he is living with you he will not lose his PR status because he is out of the country (ie: living with his Canadian spouse).

Another thing to consider (and i'm just throwing this out there - you may already know all this) he will have to provide an Affidavit of Support - lots of information around here on that - and prove that he still has 'domicile' (ties and intended ties) to the U.S.

Edited April 3, 2009 by trailmix

[Avery 0]

The whole Canadian immigration has been nothing but a headache to be honest and a long horrific process from doing it inside country. It's sad that people outside of Canada get immigrated before people IN Canada. We waited over a year for just a work visa to be approved. ><

I digress. He does have a provincial drivers license and a work visa atm. But nothing else.

I do understand the the final process will be done in Montreal and obtaining an affidavit of support is already done. LOL It's the starting process that has had me hooped. Lol its like I got all this stuff but had no idea where to go with it.

But if we can file at the consulate directly I will be much much much happy after reading about the entire process.

[Reba 2]

you could have filed an outland applicaiton for him, even though he was physically in Canada at the time. Outland only takes about 6 months or so, because unlike USCIS CIC wants to actually re-unite families quickly. But if you're filing inland, there's no reason to speed up the process, because you're already together. If you follow.

[jonesg111 0]

Several months ago when we wanted to call the consulate for some other info, not relating to immigration we got that same message. They give you an option to enter your party's extension if you know what it is. So I just punched in random extensions until I got someone on the line and they were very helpful.

[trailmix 77]

Several months ago when we wanted to call the consulate for some other info, not relating to immigration we got that same message. They give you an option to enter your party's extension if you know what it is. So I just punched in random extensions until I got someone on the line and they were very helpful.

Yes, what jones suggested might be a possibility too.

I was thinking about this and you know, regardless of whether you need an appt or not (and I don't think you do) - say you showed up on Monday and they say - oh you need an appointment (at the door or at the reception - oh and be careful if they make you speak to the receptionist upstairs, if it's still the same one she is a dragon - I think she may actually spit fire).

Then your Husband, as the U.S. citizen, should still be able to request to speak with one of the consulate people - so then he could go in and explain the situation - that you travelled all the way there etc etc - most of the people in the actual consulate are quite nice.